Cordovan vs Merlot
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Both sit in the pink family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. They have nearly identical light reflectance values (6 vs 4), so they'll read as similarly Dark in most lighting conditions. Both lean warm, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. The ΔE 6.9 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Cordovan vs Merlot in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Cordovan and Merlot are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Color Details
Cordovan vs Merlot Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Cordovan on one side and Merlot on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.